William Martin discusses a few of the major themes present in country music including religion, love, work, and the virtues of small town life. Martin also plays clips from some well known country artists as examples during this lecture.

In his interview, Rev. William Lawson explains what he means by the "Black Church" and the role of the Church in the Black community, and their contributions. He was involved in the PUSH (People for the Upgrading of schools in Houston)

Charles Allen grew up in Georgia and became a minister of the Methodist church when he was 19 years old in 1934. He moved to Houston in 1960 and served as the pastor of First United Methodist Church in downtown Houston until 1983. During his time...

The founding member of the Alley Theater, Jo Alessandro Marks was inspired into acting through a speech given by Margot Jones. Her father was the Director of all bands of the Houston Independent School Distict schools. After graduating from the...

Bill Lawson, a political activist and civil rights organizer examines his life as a religious leader, and his participation in racial desegregation efforts in the Houston communities during the Civil Rights Movement.

Margaret Webb Dreyer studied at the University of Texas and the Museum of Fine Arts School and honed her abstract expressionist painting style during time spent in San Miguel, Mexico. Dreyer worked in watercolor as well as acrylics and oil and was...

Ed Gerlach began playing piano at the age of 5 before switching his focus to soprano saxophone and later tenor saxophone. Gerlach discusses his career as a saxophonist, including his time with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Gerlach also share his...

James Bernhard was the Arts Manager of the International Society of Performing Arts Administors (SPA). In this interview, he discusses the performing arts in Houston and the many ways SPA is involved. He talks about how the SPA goes about booking...

Gertrude Barnstone talks to Jane Ely about her life in the theatre arts, her memories of Houston and Houstonians and her election to the Houston School Board during the desegregation of the Houston School System.

Mayor Bill White Collection;Houston Oral History Project : a great city voices its past.